"Be prepared. Beat the stress of moving day."

Moving Checklist

“Moving to your new address can be stressful. Here at City Quays we take care of our clients every step of the way, our team of specialist have prepared a Moving out Checklist” – Daniel Godfrey, Lettings Manager

Preparing for the move

Try to avoid Fridays and bank holidays when removal firms are in high demand and may be stretched. For a less stressful move, opt for off-peak times such as mid-week. It’s more likely your chosen removal firm will be available for that day.

Call in the professionals. Ask friends or relatives who have moved recently to recommend removal firms. Failing that, the British Association of Removers (BAR) or the National Guild of Removers and Storers (NGRS) will be able to supply names of approved members in your area. They operate within the terms of a code of practice and offer an independent conciliation and arbitration service in case of complaint. Find out more information on how to choose a removal company, or alternatively, view a selection of removal companies here on City Quays.com

Get at least three estimates from different firms and don’t automatically accept the cheapest; you tend to get what you pay for. When comparing estimates, make sure you are comparing like with like. Are packing materials, boxes, cartons and crates and VAT all included?

Ensure your possessions are insured for transit. Most removal companies provide such insurance. Check what it covers and whether there are exclusions. Remember that anything you pack yourself may not be covered by the removal firm’s insurance. If you are planning to transport any precious items yourself, check that these are covered when in transit by your contents insurance.

Point out anything that needs special care and attention, such as antiques, computers, pictures, etc. (Highlight any large or awkward items of furniture, such as a piano – which may require a specialist handler and/or have to be winched in through a window – or sofa)

Keep in mind William Morris’ interior design dictum that “everything must either be useful or beautiful.” Valuable items that are no longer needed can be auctioned or sold to a dealer in second-hand furniture. Other items can be donated to charity shops or recycled.

Get someone to look after the children for the day. The same goes for pets – or book them into kennels or a cattery. Make sure they have identity tags with their new address.

Compile a fact file for the people who are moving into your property, such as instruction leaflets and service information for the heating system and appliances you’re leaving, together with details of rubbish collection, milk deliveries, recycling schemes and so on.

If the move is going to be spread over a couple of days, arrange accommodation somewhere special, ideally a hotel – you’ll be too exhausted to socialise – and pack a bag for an overnight stop.

Make a scale plan of each room in your new home to give to the removal team so, in theory, they know exactly where everything is to go.

Colour-code packing boxes, cases and furniture in the hope that this will mean it ends up in the right rooms.

Final preparations should include making a complete inventory of everything to be moved in case anything goes missing when it is delivered to your home

Advising the post office to redirect your post and cancelling the milk and newspapers if you have them delivered.

If you are moving to a different area, register with a new GP, Dentist, and Opticians.

Notify the following parties of your new Address

Telephone and Internet service providers

Notify TV Licensing of your new address. Your TV licence doesn’t automatically move with you when you move house. If you don’t notify TV Licensing of you new address, you could end up being unlicensed in your new home, even if you paid for a licence at your old address. Anyone who watches TV without a licence risks prosecution and a fine of up to £1000, so make sure you’re covered by logging on to www.tvlicensing.co.uk or call 0844 800 6722 and follow the instructions. This should only take a few minutes!

Bank, building society, pension provider and any company you have loans or investments with

Credit card and store card companies

Inland Revenue – see www.hmrc.gov.uk for a list of offices

Local council regarding council tax

Subscriptions to magazines, charities, etc

Employers

The schools your children attend

It is a legal requirement to notify DVLA – you will need to renew your driving licence and vehicle registration document

Friends, family and colleagues of course!

On the big day

Make sure the foreman has a layout of your new home so furniture is put in the correct room.

Ensure the removal firm has access to your new home and has arranged for permission to park outside the property if necessary.

Have all paperwork and contact numbers relating to the move with you.

Upon arrival, read the meters and check that the phone, security alarm, electricity, gas, central heating and water work.

Make sure all items that were included in the sale, such as carpets, curtains and light fittings, are there. Think about getting the locks changed on your new property – you never know who the previous owners may have given spare keys to in the past.

From personal experiences make sure you get to know the local area (Take away shops) cause by the end of the day you will be shattered so order a takeaway and crack open a bottle of champagne!